Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.
The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.
Estimated Duration: 4-6 months, with opportunity for extension based on program needs
The Role
We're looking for a UxS Mission Operation Specialist to support defense-related initiatives across ground, air, and maritime unmanned systems. This isn't just a pure drone operations role. You'll be embedded across the full mission lifecycle, from planning and integration through execution, assessment, and iteration, working alongside our autonomy engineers, mission teams, and defense customers in the field. This role requires a willingness to travel to test sites, customer locations, and operational environments across the U.S.
What You'll Do
Plan and execute missions across unmanned air, ground, and/or maritime platforms in operational and expeditionary environments
Support live and simulated mission scenarios for defense customers and internal test programs Control multiple unmanned platforms simultaneously across multiple domains, sensor feeds, and real-time route adjustments based on operational requirements.
Serve as a key interface between customers and engineering teams, translating field observations into actionable system feedback
Conduct mission planning, airspace and operational coordination, and pre-mission risk assessments
Document operational findings, anomalies, and lessons learned in structured after-action reports
Develop and refine SOPs and TTPs as Swarm Aero's operational frameworks mature
Serve as primary interface with government stakeholders during operations, coordinating with decision authorities on mission execution (targeting approvals, weapons release, ROE coordination) and briefing senior military leadership during demonstrations and evaluations.
Travel domestically and internationally to support test events, customer programs, and operational deployments
What We're Looking For
4+ years of experience operating unmanned systems (UAS, UGV, USV, or multi-domain) in defense, government, or field environments
Hands-on experience supporting DoD, DHS, or other government agency programs
Operational comfort across more than one platform type or domain is a strong plus
Active TS/SCI clearance preferred; Secret minimum required
U.S. citizenship required
Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, resource-constrained, and fast-moving field environments
Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to engage credibly with defense customers and technical teams alike
Willingness to travel up to 50+% of the time or on a rotational basis within the team to meet operational demands.
Nice to Have
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Experience with autonomous or swarm UxS platforms
Background in U.S. military aviation, ground operations, special operations, or the intelligence community
Familiarity with GCS software, mission planning tools (e.g., Falcon View, ATAK), or common ISR workflows
Basic maintenance and troubleshooting experience on unmanned hardware
Prior experience working alongside defense contractors, PEOs, or program offices
This is a contract position. Engagement length is subject to program requirements and mutual agreement.
What We Offer
Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
Medical, dental, vision, and 401k
PTO and paid sick leave
Monthly wellness stipend
Daily catered lunch (office)
Paid parental leave
Direct impact on a critical national security mission
A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems
Skills Required
- 4+ years operating unmanned systems (UAS, UGV, USV, or multi-domain) in defense, government, or field environments
- Hands-on experience supporting DoD, DHS, or other government agency programs
- Secret security clearance minimum
- U.S. citizenship
- Willingness to travel up to 50%+ (domestic and international) and deploy to test sites and operational environments
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, resource-constrained, fast-moving field environments
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to engage credibly with defense customers and technical teams
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Experience with autonomous or swarm UxS platforms
- Background in U.S. military aviation, ground operations, special operations, or the intelligence community
- Familiarity with GCS software and mission planning tools (e.g., Falcon View, ATAK) or ISR workflows
- Basic maintenance and troubleshooting experience on unmanned hardware
- Prior experience working alongside defense contractors, PEOs, or program offices
What We Do
Swarm Aero is an aerospace and defense company that develops large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms for defense and missions. The company focuses on redefining air power through collaborative autonomy and the production of large uncrewed aircraft designed for mission-level operations in contested environments, empowering small teams to mobilize thousands of vehicles in communications-limited settings.
